January is that time of year when the weather becomes dry, and Ghana and most West African countries experience what is known as Harmattan. The season is characterized by mostly dry, dusty winds and cool weather.
In this season, the weather gets so dry that one cannot do away with the need to occasionally moisturize their skin. The same way extra care is taken to keep the skin moist, it is also important to take care of the plants you keep in your home during this season. Lamudi Ghana has compiled a list of crucial steps to take in order to prevent plants from dying during this period:
- Water plants more frequently – During other seasons it is alright to water plants once a day but in this season, it appropriate to keep the soil moist at least twice a day. The water does not only moisten the soil but also washes off dust on the leaves and keeps them clean, allowing the plants to breathe in cleaner air.
- Mulch the soil – There is no better time to keep the soil covered with dried leaves or polythene bags than during the harmattan. This process, known as mulching, helps the soil to retain water and prevents the moisture from evaporating.
- Find shade for plants – If there are some potted plants in your garden, place them under the shade. This will prevent them from being burnt by the sun and from the leaves getting dried up. Try as much as possible to cultivate trees in the garden to provide the smaller plants more shade.
- Do not plant – Seeds require viable temperature and other conditions to germinate and these are not produced during the harmattan season. Even if you go against the rules of transplanting or sowing seeds, the likelihood of the plant germinating is quite slim. You would have to provide them with a lot of water.
- Leave the leaves – This is a bad time to trim leaves. Plants lose their leaves naturally during this period, however, allow them to shed off their leaves naturally.
These tips should keep your plants green during and after this season.